Heckert joined the Eagles as the club's director of player personnel in 2001. He recently had been mentioned as a strong candidate for the Vikings' front office.

The Eagles didn't have an official general manager, but coach Andy Reid handled those duties. Reid also is the team's executive vice president of football operations.

-- San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees said he needs surgery for a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. Brees dislocated his right shoulder in a home loss to the Denver Broncos on Saturday, and an MRI on Sunday revealed the torn cartilage. Brees anticipates a four-month rehab.

-- The Chicago Bears signed offensive lineman Roberto Garza to a six-year extension. The guard and center appeared in all 16 games and started seven after signing a one-year deal last year.

U.S.

national skeleton coach
Tim Nardiello
, who has been on paid administrative leave since Saturday while sexual harassment allegations made against him are investigated, has asked for an immediate resolution to his case.

Nardiello's attorney sent a three-page letter to U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation president Jim Shea Sr., requesting that the federation rule whether he'll be able to accompany the national team to Europe on Thursday.

"There appear to be numerous ulterior personal motives on the part of some persons driving this process," said Nardiello's attorney, James Brooks.

Tennis: Jelena Dokic lost in her first competitive match in seven months, falling 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-1 to Germany's Julia Schruff in the first round at the ASB Women's Tennis Classic in Auckland, New Zealand. ... Tim Henman defeated third-seeded Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of the Qatar Open. He will next face Tommy Haas of Germany, a 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 winner over Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland.

Motor sports: Jean-Louis Schlesser of France won the third stage of the Dakar Rally, and Nani Roma of Spain took the overall lead as the race entered Africa.

Obituary: French men's giant slalom coach, Severino Bottero, was killed in an auto accident in the French Alps, regional highway operator AMTB said.